South African research gets R800m boost

THE Department of Science and Technology on Wednesday allocated an additional R800m over a three-year period towards developing the country’s researchers and making South Africa more competitive.

Research and development is a key driver of economic growth, competitiveness and job creation, and the foundation for a knowledge economy. However, there is a shortage of skilled researchers in South Africa, with only about 30% of academics and researchers in universities and on research councils holding a doctoral degree. This means they are unable to supervise doctoral students.

"The country has a huge backlog and needs more highly qualified researchers and scientists," said Andrew Kaniki, executive director of knowledge management and strategy at the National Research Foundation (NRF), the government’s research funding arm.

"Researchers ... are not only intended (for) or located in universities," he said. "South Africa requires scientists and researchers at different levels — technologists, technicians, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees — in all fields."

The Department of Science and Technology said on Wednesday that it would channel, via the NRF, the additional funds to new-generation researchers (R450m), emerging researchers (R196m) and established researchers (R152m) as components of the human capital pipeline.

"The training is not only for new entrants in science and research, but also to (encourage) those already in university to obtain higher qualifications," Mr Kaniki said.

In this article

THE Department of Science and Technology on Wednesday allocated an additional R800m over a three-year period towards developing the country’s researchers and making South Africa more competitive.

Research and development is a key driver of economic growth, competitiveness and job creation, and the foundation for a knowledge economy. However, there is a shortage of skilled researchers in South Africa, with only about 30% of academics and researchers in universities and on research councils holding a doctoral degree. This means they are unable to supervise doctoral students.

"The country has a huge backlog and needs more highly qualified researchers and scientists," said Andrew Kaniki, executive director of knowledge management and strategy at the National Research Foundation (NRF), the government’s research funding arm.

"Researchers ... are not only intended (for) or located in universities," he said. "South Africa requires scientists and researchers at different levels — technologists, technicians, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees — in all fields."

The Department of Science and Technology said on Wednesday that it would channel, via the NRF, the additional funds to new-generation researchers (R450m), emerging researchers (R196m) and established researchers (R152m) as components of the human capital pipeline.

"The training is not only for new entrants in science and research, but also to (encourage) those already in university to obtain higher qualifications," Mr Kaniki said.

Network Sites

Tools & Services

News Updates

Times Media (Pty) Ltd disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense however caused, arising from the use of or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided through this service and does not warrant the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

My News

You can only set up or view personalised news headlines when you are logged in as a registered user. Thereafter you can choose the sectors of industry in which you are interested, and the latest articles from those sectors will display in this area of your console.

You can only set up or view your share watchlist when you are logged in as a registered user. Thereafter you can select a list of companies and enter your share details to monitor their performance.

My Clippings

You can only clip articles when you are logged in as a registered user. Thereafter you can click on the "Read later" icon at the top of an article to save it to this area of your console, where you can return to read it at any time.